.

.

Mr. Dad

.

Alfred clapped his hands together, gaining the attention of the twenty pairs of eyes spread out in the room, a smile on his face. "Okay, guys! Let's get the toys put away and get back to our seats! I've got a new assignment for you today!"

He grinned and shook his head at the groans he was given, but moved around the room to help the kids put things away, straightening the tubs and bins full of building blocks and action figures as they took their seats at the tables.

With a nod towards the cleaned area, Alfred went back to his desk, picking up the large ream of copy paper, the package of construction paper, and the bins of colored pencils, crayons, and markers, bringing them to the table at the front of the room and setting them down, turning to look at his class.

"Okay! So today, we're gonna do a bit of coloring," he announced, and that gained him some small cheers. Hey, coloring was better over addition any day, even in his books. "And what we're gonna color is a family portrait," he continued, gesturing to the table. "There's paper and colors up here, so come up and grab what you want.

"I want you guys to draw your family— mom, dad, sisters, brothers, pets, whoever you count as family."

The kids nodded in understanding, and Alfred stepped over to his desk. "Alright, then! Have at it, and turn in your picture at the end of class! Have fun!"

Alfred sat back as his kids ran up to the front, excitedly chatting about their families and who they were going to draw, the sound of rustling paper and the coloring media rattling together as they picked what they wanted and headed back to their seats.

It was more an excuse for Alfred to sit and do nothing for a while, letting him get through grading the math worksheets they'd done the week before and catch up on his own homework for his graduate engineering classes. Being a part-time student and full-time teacher was a lot more work than he'd anticipated, but he wouldn't change it for anything.

Instead of any of his work, however, Alfred leaned back in his chair and watched the kids scribbling away, letting his mind wander back to something— one— much more interesting. A soft smile founds its place on his lips as he thought about his favorite— because really, he did have a favorite, even though he wasn't supposed to— student's absolutely adorable dad.

It had been an awesome few months with Arthur (and by extension Peter, but he saw the little man every day anyway, so it didn't count the same). He'd found that Arthur was literally grumpy all the time, both loved and hated Francis (who Alfred was pretty sure had managed to ask Mattie out like, the week after he and Artie got together) with equal fervor, and was the absolute biggest nerd besides Alfred himself, able to quote Doctor Who, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Trek, Harry Potter, and even Supernatural to a degree with ease and pride like he'd written the scripts himself.

He learned that Arthur was as English as they came, drinking his leaf water religiously every day, and his hobbies included knitting, embroidery, Shakespeare, and grumbling about Alfred and his "American-ness" in the most adoring voice ever.

Alfred had never been more in love.

The bell signaling the end of class brought him out of his memories, and Alfred shook his head with a goofy smile as he stood from his seat. "Okay, guys! If you're not done, don't sweat it. We'll work again on these tomorrow, so put your things back and hand me your pictures on your way out. Have a great day!"

The kids scrambled around, chattering filling the air as they cleaned up and Alfred gathered his own things to be able to head out to lunch after the last of them was picked up. He wasn't surprised when Peter was the only one still sitting at a table, scribbling away with the crayons.

"C'mon, Peter," Alfred called, walking over to the kid. "Your dad told me Francis was comin' to get ya today."

Peter looked up and nodded. "Yeah, but I'm almost done!"

Alfred leaned over him, looking at the drawing. It was decent for a kindergartener, and Alfred could clearly make out three forms on the paper, two of about equal height and one that was about half that. "Who've you drawn there, little man?"

Peter pointed to the smaller one. "That's me," he said, and Alfred hummed in response. Ah, now he could see it— the wild blond mop of hair, the blue eyes, and the large eyebrows just like his dad's. He pointed to the taller figure that looked similar.

"That your dad?"

The kid nodded again. "Yup! And," he pointed to the other figure, still blond, but with what he assumed was glasses and a large smile, "that's you."

Alfred felt warm all over, his heart beating against his chest as he squatted down, looking over at Peter. "You think of me as family?"

Peter shrugged. "Of course I do. You make dad really happy, and he smiles a lot more when you're around." He smiled down at his drawing. "I wouldn't mind you really being my dad, too."

Alfred was definitely not about to tear up and cry; he was too heroic for that, but it didn't stop him from wrapping an arm around Peter's shoulders, pulling him into a hug. Peter leaned back, wrapping his small arms around Alfred's chest and returning the hug. "I wouldn't mind that either." And if he choked a bit with emotion, well, Peter wouldn't blame him.

Pulling back after a brief moment, Alfred took the picture up to his desk as Peter put his things away, grabbing his bag from his cubby and sitting with his teacher to wait for his ride. Francis walked in five minutes later, smiling and waving to Alfred and Peter as the kid ran over to him.

"Ah, chère," he said, looking at Alfred. "Arthur wanted me to let you know he will be able to make it tonight. The meeting was cancelled due to something or other," Francis waved his hand in a vague gesture of I don't actually know what's going on and Alfred smiled wide, "and he's going to get out early. He'll be waiting for you to pick him up."

"Okay, great!" Alfred was bouncing with excitement. "Tell him I'll see him at six, then!"

"Will do," Francis smiled, and with a wave, he was turned and headed out the door.

Peter looked over his shoulder as he followed, waving enthusiastically, a bright smile on his little face. "See ya, Mr. Dad!" His eyes widened, and he gave a short embarrassed laugh as he ran out behind Francis.

Alfred had never heard anything that sounded more right, and he couldn't hide his happiness even if he tried. "You too, little man."

Turning to grab his things, he would completely deny to Matthew later that he'd been caught skipping through the halls on his way to his car for lunch.

Though he totally did.