Hello everyone! Kitty29 here with the next chapter of Colours! Wowza!

Before I kick it off a-special thanks to bleach-otaku for the 1200th review! BREAK OUT THE PARTY HATS, WOO! The next goal that I probably shouldn't be reaching towards and just be happy with what I got is 1400 reviews! Let's see if we can make it happen people, yeah!

Moving on, this chapter wasn't supposed to exist yet, or at else I think it wasn't or something (no one really knows…). I was actually about a quarter through what is now the next chapter before I decided, 'meh. I should write something with Arthur and Francis.' So this was a pretty impulse chapter, even for me. Oh well, the quality's still up, right? (The author tells herself so she won't cry into a bucket of chocolate mint ice cream. No I'm just kidding, it's actually vanilla.)

Thank you MaryMew for the awesome beta'd-ing. You just knock those grammar and spelling errors right out of the park! Woo-hoo-ha!

Right moving on, please enjoy!

Well, it was official. The search for Francis had reached its twenty four hour mark.

Arthur heaved a heavy sigh as he crossed yet another area off his mental list. He had certainly been wrong to think Francis would be waiting for him at some easily thinkable spot or at least be someplace in their own damn city. They hadn't had that many big fights but when they did Francis would always do this; play this tedious game of hide-and-seek. He was hoping that perhaps this time, just this time, it wouldn't be like this. The circumstances were really different. What had happened again?

Ah yes, he had told his spouse a secret which he had literally kept his whole life and in response Francis went out and slept with his not-even-that-pretty co-worker. Honestly, a woman. He had cheated on him with a woman. Arthur was still trying to decide if that made things better or worse. Not that it mattered tremulously. What's done was done. Francis had committed adultery and they needed to talk about it; or Arthur needed to punch him in the face, he didn't know yet. A whole day had passed and he still didn't know what he was going to do when he found the man. When he found him perhaps then he would know what to do. Either way he had to go and find the frog. Not that he made that easy.

Deciding that moping about wasn't going to get him anywhere Arthur restarted the engine and pulled his car back into the road, heading towards, oh who even knows anymore. No wonder both Matthew and Alfred had the tendency to randomly disappear. The damn trait must be hereditary.

Sighing again he turned on the radio to try to distract himself from his rather sombre thoughts. Let's see…country, uninteresting news, talk show, commercial, pop song, pop song, pop song that sounded the same as the last two. He turned the radio back off, not in the mood to pretend to care about the crap music that was being portrayed as chart toppers nowadays. He waited until he hit a red light before he opened a small compartment beside him and pulled out the CD he only listened to when he was alone. The marker on the disc read '10 ways to improve your way of life' but that couldn't have been further from the truth. Popping the disc in the CD player he sighed contently when the sounds of Ringo Star, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon filled his vehicle.

Yes, he was a British man whose guilty pleasure was The Beatles. It was embarrassing enough adhering to the stereotype but no matter how many times he tried to break away he always found himself running back to those honest lyrics and sub-par drumming. Hell at least it was better than that annoying mechanic cat screeching that Alfred insisted on blasting throughout the house. What was it he called it? 'Dubstep?'

He was so into his random musical thoughts he nearly missed the car he had been searching for all this time. Luckily he spotted it just in time to pull into the parking lot it was currently in. Finding a spot he quickly parked and exited his own car and lightly jogged towards the other. Checking out the license plate number he assured that this was Francis' car. Finally he found the bugger.

He wasn't inside the car so instead Arthur looked towards the building the parking lot was for. He was a little taken aback when he realized he was in front of a church. Really? He was well aware of his husband's religious background but the last time he could recall Francis going to church was, well, uh…perhaps a little before they got married, if memory served. Yes, that sounded about right.

Arthur shook his head of the thought before he noticed the steady stream of people walking past him. He followed as they entered the church, suddenly rather uncomfortable in his casual wear amongst all the families dressed in their Sunday best. He briefly wondered if Francis was also dressed up as he looked out for him. He hoped to find him soon; his less than suitable outfit had begun gathering stares.

"Arthur."

His breath hitched in his throat as he heard that oh so familiar voice say his name. For just a moment, time stood frozen. He had finally found him. He still didn't know what he was going to say.

Arthur turned to face the person he was searching for. There Francis stood, looking as clean cut and presentable as he always did. He smiled at him and the anger Arthur thought he had surpassed during his twenty four hour search raised again as he looked upon his husband's face. "About bloody time! Do you have any idea how long I—"

A finger to his lips stopped him mid-sentence. He went cross-eyed to try to see the finger before he stared back at the man said finger belonged to. Normally after such an act Arthur would explode into a screaming mess of insults but today he simply didn't have the energy to do so. Francis retracted his finger before he stated, quite simply, "The service is going to start."

Arthur blinked before he glanced around at the people settling into their seats and looked back to Francis. He studied his face, trying to find something in the Frenchman's expression that said he was kidding in some way. He wasn't. So Arthur simply nodded, allowing Francis to lead him towards one of the long benches. He couldn't help but notice the attention that he and Francis had somehow gained in their brief interaction and he momentarily regretted his decision to stay. Though as soon as the service begun all eyes were up front, allowing Arthur to breathe in relief.

As the priest spoke Arthur couldn't help but glance at Francis every once in a while, trying to find something in his unusually stoic expression. Though he found nothing, his wandering mind wouldn't allow him to pay attention to the elder man in front. So he simply sat there pondering if Francis had somehow anticipated him coming at this time. If he had somehow led him here to listen to whatever this service was about. Though the idea seemed rather ridiculous he couldn't shake it from his mind and the longer it sat there to marinate its probably, as well as his anger, raised.

Who did he think he was? Manipulating him like this whole mess what his fault. He wasn't the one that went behind his back and slept with the wrong gender! He wasn't the one that ran away from his problems like an immature ten year old!

Silently fuming, he bit the inside of his cheek and begun squirming in his seat, suddenly restless. Is this why he brought here? Obviously he couldn't just up and yell at him here and even an angry whisper would be disrespectful and here was the last place he wanted to be disrespectful. Conniving wine drinking bastard!

Closing his eyes Arthur took several deep breaths to calm down. As much as he wanted to, he wasn't here to throttle his husband; he was here to set things straight. Though it would really help if he knew just how he was going to settle it. Damn, this was the last time he acted before thinking it through completely. The last thing he wanted on his agenda was acting like a complete ninny. At least now he had some time before he had to confront him. He would think of something.

Abrupt rustling and movement broke him from his thoughts and he looked around to find the many patrons had begun to stand and chatter amongst themselves. A hand on his shoulder brought his attention back to the Frenchman beside him.

"Service is over, Arthur."

Bollocks.

/ / / \ \ \

About twenty minutes later the two found them behind the church and up a small hill. Far enough that the people hanging about just outside the building couldn't hear them but close enough that if anything went down, they could call the authorizes. They had yet to say a word to each other since they had gotten to this location. Francis was turned away pretending to survey the area as Arthur was studying the stitching of his shoes.

It taken them a while to get up here, not that the walk was far but because people were rather determined to talk with Francis. He must have been here more than once before, for many people called him by name. Not that he needed much time to make an impression, Francis was a rather interesting character. Arthur nearly laughed at the thought though thinking about the talk that they now had to have immediately quelled it. He still didn't know what he was going to say and his mind was running a complete blank. He was drowning, and he certainly hoped Francis was the same as well.

He rolled his head back to actually look at his husband. He still had his back turned to him and was still looking about at nothing with his hands casually in his jacket pockets. While it was true the two hadn't been together for a terribly long time, Arthur had been with Francis long enough to know that his hands in his pocket didn't mean he was comfortable. In fact it meant the opposite; he was uncomfortable, no matter how natural he looked in his pose. Seeing this gave he enough courage to call out, "Francis."

The Frenchman turned at his name, the breeze causing his hair to dance across his face and almost automatically he reached up to brush it away. "Arthur."

Arthur bit the inside of his cheek as he crossed his arms. "…We need to talk."

Francis' shoulders sagged and he nodded reluctantly. "…Yes I know."

"Is that all you have to say?" The anger he had managed to suppress during the service had begun to leak out. "I say we have to talk and all you have to say is 'I know?'"

"Please, Arthur. You're probably dreading this as much as I am." That statement gathered Arthur's attention and he looked to him expectantly. Francis sighed. "I…do not know what I can say other than what I've already tried to say. I made a mistake, it didn't mean anything. Honestly, I don't even remember how it happened. It was a stupid silly mista—"

"'Silly?'" Arthur repeated incredulously. "'Silly' is dropping a bag of flour not adultery, Francis!

Francis mentally kicked himself for the mistake. "Yes, yes you're right I'm sorry."

"How could you even associate that word with your filthy act?"

"Yes I know I—"

"Stop that! Stop agreeing with everything I say and making me look like the bad guy!"

"Arthur there is no bad or good guy in this situation!"

"I know I did wrong too, okay? I didn't tell you my secret! Do you want to know why I didn't tell you, fine! Because every time I tell someone something bad happens like this whole bloody pit we're in right now! So yes, I made a stupid silly mistake but at least mine didn't risk knocking up some random! We—" Almost like a switch had been pulled; Arthur suddenly backed off and calmed himself down. With a deep inhale and a long exhale reorganizing his thoughts he finally said what he had came here to say in the first place. "This isn't about us."

Francis agreed, finally thinking they were getting to the heart of the issue. "Yes, this is about my stupidity—"

"Oh get off your high horse. This isn't about either of us this is—" He took a moment to glower at a nearby tree. "Your children…don't trust me. Especially Matthew since he…since he…" He paused, berating himself for suddenly becoming tongue-tied. "Figured out that I can also…do…things."

Francis' eyes widened in obvious shock. "Mon Dieu…Please Arthur, you were the one that told him this, yes?" Arthur's silence was his answer and he dramatically placed a hand on his chest. "Ah! Oh mon petite soleil! Oh mon Mathieu! Oh…I'm sure you talked to him about this?"

Arthur stiffened. "I hadn't seen him since he's yelled at me through the phone."

"He figured it out over the phone? Oh my poor Mathieu!"

With a small start Arthur noticed Francis actually grow pale and he took a few concerned steps forward. "Francis calm down—"

"Calm down? How can I be calm knowing my son has gone through a traumatizing experience by himself? Why hadn't you done anything yet?"

Arthur spattered. "Why haven't I—at least I'm not out gallivanting!"

"I do not gallivant! I was simply giving you space! Is that not what you wanted?"

Like Arthur could keep track of all the things he said during fights. "Giving me space doesn't mean abandoning your kids!"

Francis groaned. "'Your kids, your kids!' They are our children, Arthur! Dieu I shouldn't have left such a forgetful emotionally uncaring man watch them!"

"P-piss off you damn French frog!"

"Name calling Arthur? Is that truly the best you can do you stupid Englishman?"

"Wine guzzling unshaven bastard!"

"Stone hearted uncivilized delinquent!"

"Cowardly nanny!"

"Crude cretin!"

"Pervert!"

"Swine!"

The married couple glared at each other, each unwilling to be the first to break eye contact. It was several minutes into staring at each other did Francis speak.

"There's a hotel three blocks from here."

"Right."

With that the two ran to the parking lot.

/ / / \ \ \

Heavy pants filled the now off smelling room as its patrons lay recovering from their 'exercise'. The lazy ceiling fan above did nothing to help lower the area's raised temperature, only there to allow its slow movements to be watched by whoever was there at the time. So watch they did, blue and green eyes followed its lazy journey as their minds began to clear through the fog of fading pleasure.

Arthur was the first to react. He moved to sat on the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees as he stared at the peach carpet intently. Francis raised his form onto his forearms and watched his husband's slouched back. Twice he thought of reaching out and touching the man but the message always seemed to die before his muscles could receive it. It was at times like these that he wished he also had a special ability. Perhaps they still needed a mind reader.

Arthur spoke with forced certainty, "That was a mistake."

"Not something I would like to hear my own husband say afterwards."

Arthur did nothing. He didn't snap at him or turn to glare at him or even make any kind of gesture towards him with his hands. He did nothing. This time the message went through and Francis did reach out and touch him though it was promptly smacked away.

"A mistake," Arthur repeated as he began to dress himself again. "Can't believe I fell back into this habit so easily." He stood to properly fix his pants, a few fingers hooking into the back and trying to pull him onto the bed nearly as soon as he did.

"This wasn't some kind of cheap trick to bed you."

He pushed Francis' hand away and finally turned to gauge him. "I didn't say that." He turned his gaze back ahead and started to walk to where he had hastily thrown his shirt.

Francis jumped out of bed and rushed to him, throwing his arms around him to stop him from moving. "Arthur, please! Talk to me! You said we had to talk, yes? So talk please! Tell me what's on that twisted mind of yours!"

Arthur didn't speak until he had freed himself from the other's grasp and could turn around to properly glare at him. "Fine! You want to know what I'm thinking? All I could wonder during was whether my body was feminine enough for you!" Francis opened his mouth to defend himself but Arthur cut him off. "And don't you dare go about spewing some bullshit that 'I'm the only one for you' or 'I'm the only body you need' because your actions clearly proved that isn't true!"

"Arthur the only thing we need is each oth—"

"SHUT UP!" Arthur bellowed, pushing the man away from him. "You don't tell me what I need! Bloody hell, Francis! I may not have been the best husband but I never broke our vows!" He grabbed his discarded shirt and turned away to angrily rub the corner of his eye.

Francis placed a hand over where Arthur had shoved him before he bit his tongue. He knew at this point he could say nothing to help his situation. "That is it?"

There was a small pause before Arthur turned to glare at Francis once more, though he didn't manage to get all the water out of his eyes before he did so. "You know what, Francis? I came here to tell you what's happening with Alfred and Matthew; and now you know. So what you do with that bleeding information is up to you. I don't care anymore." He walked out the room and slammed the door shut.

Ahhh…for some reason the thought of a grown man yelling 'I do no gallivant!' makes me giggle on the inside. And some times on the outside too. .-.

This chapter was a little weird because this was one of the first ones where I really didn't know where it was going as I wrote it. Usually I have a rough mental timeline or random events or a couple thought out sentences that I build around but for this one I barely even knew what the next sentence would be as I wrote. It was kind of excited if not vexing at times. I don't really think I learned anything from it, except from the fact that I am far more comfortable writing Arthur than Francis. That may or may not explain why it was from his POV, hahaha…ha.

Thank you Goldpen, KiaraNox, MoonlightMew513, Silvermoon of Forestclan, bleach-otaku, Just A Girl With A Keyboard, lightwolfheart, monkeysandfudge, princessharmony23, Tweaks, black-misty-sky, Hetaliafangirl1113, Rick Allan Doyle, cosplaythief, foREVerhauntingme, fan girl 666, Chatlantic, Chelseaj500, death2society, Berri-chi, Darkmoonphase, PokePyro, CiCi The Awesome, Panda Days, Minato's Moustache, Odisdera-kun, TinaBanina96 and Mikadocon for the reviews!

I a-thank you for reading and if you're feeling up to it please tap on that little button below and leave a few words! Hope to see y'all soon!