The List
The Romantic
Arthur tossed his head back, his mouth open in a silent scream. This was his first time bottoming in such a way and fuck it felt good. He relaxed his muscles and panted into his partner's long blond hair. He embraced his new lover and sighed deeply. He had never felt this way, but it was amazing.
The man above him kissed his neck and rolled to his side so that they were facing each other. Gentle blue eyes smiled at Arthur.
"How was it?"
"Fucking brilliant, Francis." Arthur breathed.
The other laughed and placed a warm kiss on Arthur's lips. Francis was caring, funny, smart, and a sex hound.
In the month since they had been together, Francis had been begging Arthur for sex. The Brit had refused each time and they usually ended up jerking each other off. However, tonight, Arthur fell for Francis's charm.
"Do you have work in the morning?" Francis asked softly.
Arthur shook his head. "No. It's spring break."
"Oh." Francis caught his lip between his teeth.
"What's wrong?" Arthur whispered.
"I'm afraid I have to go in." Francis sighed and carded his fingers through Arthur's messy hair.
Arthur fought the urge to pout. "Okay." Though Francis worked a lot, it was a steady schedule. He knew the days Francis would come over and wouldn't. It was a lot easier to handle than Kiku.
"Get some sleep." Francis smiled and kissed Arthur's forehead.
It amazed Arthur how Francis could go from pounding ruthlessly into him to being really sweet and caring. "Night."
"Good night, Arthur."
•
The blond woke to an empty apartment. Arthur sighed and decided to shower. He got up slowly from the bed and winced at the sharp pain in his lower back. He managed to stand and waddle his way to the bathroom. Maybe a bath would be better this morning.
After his bath, Arthur felt much better. When he had bottomed with Gilbert, he had never been left this sore. It wasn't a bad ache, though. It was the same ache one would feel after a good workout. It was comforting.
Arthur didn't try to call Francis to plan their next date. With Francis's job, he would never answer and would only call on his break. Arthur didn't want to bother him like a needy little thing.
So, Arthur rested on the couch and watched TV. He glanced around the room and sighed. Maybe if he got a cat it wouldn't feel so lonely when he was home alone.
That wasn't such a bad idea. Arthur rolled off the couch and went to his room. He changed and jogged down the stairs of his apartment.
He walked downtown and window shopped. Maybe he could pop in and visit Francis at his publishing company. Then again, Francis might be busy. Arthur sighed and looked at the building where Francis worked before walking past it.
Arthur was around the corner of the nearest pet shop when he saw Francis walking into Arthur's favorite cafe.
"Francis!" Arthur called. He waved when the blond looked up. If Francis was on break, then they could probably eat together.
The other waved and Arthur jogged across the street. "What are you doing?" Arthur asked when he reached Francis. He expected the taller to kiss him or hug him or something, but Francis merely stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Just getting some lunch." Francis smiled, though it looked strained. "What are you doing out and about?"
"Oh, I want a cat." Arthur said.
Francis chuckled. "Isn't that kind of sudden?"
"Well, it's so lonely without you." Arthur said sheepishly. He would never say that to anyone else, but he knew Francis got off on the innocent act.
Francis took his hands from his pockets. He looked like he was going to pull Arthur into a hug, but dropped his arms. Arthur looked at him confusedly.
"I have to go. My boss is inside." Francis smiled. "I'll call you tonight." He waved and disappeared inside the cafe.
That was weird. Whenever Francis left, he would usually snog Arthur until he couldn't breath. Arthur ran a hand through his hair and continued on his way to the pet store.
•
Two hundred dollars, an hour and a hard decision over a Scottish fold and a tabby, Arthur walked into his apartment with Crumpet. He had chosen the charming orange and white cat.
He placed the kitten in the ground and proceeded to set his bowls, toys and bed around the apartment.
"Okay, Crumpet." Arthur said, returning to the kitten, who was still by the door, "This is your home now."
The little fold just blinked at Arthur. The Brit lifted Crumpet and kissed his head softly. "It's just you and me until Francis gets here."
Crumpet let out a soft mew. He placed his chin in the crook of Arthur's elbow.
Arthur spent the rest of his day trying to get Crumpet to do tricks. He knew cats didn't really shake, but he thought it would be cool if he did. And he had nothing else to do.
Finally, Francis called around dinner time. Arthur answered quickly.
"Hello?" He asked. He was laying on his back with Crumpet on his stomach.
"Hey. What are you doing?" Francis was talking softy. It was hard to hear.
"Playing with Crumpet. That's what I named my cat." Arthur smiled at the kitten. "Are you coming over?"
"Not tonight. Some stuff came up at work." Francis said.
Arthur pouted. "Okay. Can I call you tomorrow?"
"Er. Yeah. Just wait until six to call, okay?"
"Alright." Arthur was confused. Francis had never told him a specific time to call him. And he usually refused and told Arthur he would call him.
"Night, Arthur." The phone cut off before Arthur could reply.
•
Waiting was not Arthur's favorite thing. He hated it, actually. He loitered around his apartment. He tried to read but felt too much anticipation for why Francis was acting strange.
Right at six, Arthur dialed Francis and waited. Crumpet was sitting comfortably on his bed. He petted the cat mindlessly.
"Hello?" A soft voice answered after five rings.
"Hey." Arthur said, relieved to hear Francis. "Are you coming over tonight?"
"Over where?" Francis asked.
Arthur scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. "Over to my place."
"I don't think my daddy would like that."
"Who is this?" Arthur asked.
"Luke. Who is this?"
"Who is your daddy?" Arthur stood, his heart pounding. It couldn't be. It just couldn't!
"I asked you a question first."
"My name is Arthur. Now who is your daddy?"
"Francis. He's with my mommy right now so I answered the phone."
Arthur quickly hung up. Hurt swirled in his chest until it traveled to his eyes. He had been cheated on. He was the other woman! Well, man. But still!
The blond paced his apartment. If Francis had a kid, what else was he hiding? Was he divorced, or was he still married? How many children did he have? Did he ever plan on telling Arthur?
Arthur didn't have to wait long for answers. Half an hour later, Francis called him.
He hesitated before answering the phone. "Hello?" he asked, his voice soft.
"Arthur, I am so sorry." Francis breathed.
"Did you ever plan on telling me?" Arthur said.
"I never planned on you finding out." Francis admitted.
"How long?" Arthur asked. He wasn't sure if he was asking how long Francis had been married, or how long he had been lied to.
"I've been with her for seven years. Our son is six." Francis said.
Arthur slumped into the nearest chair and buried his hands in his hair. "Why?"
"I... I was bored."
That hurt more than anything. Arthur had given his heart and body to this man, who was only bored.
"I love you now, Arthur. I love my wife and my son. I just can't stay with one person." Francis said.
Arthur couldn't breathe. His chest hurt, his head hurt, his eyes hurt. He was ready to be done.
"We're done." Arthur whispered.
"Arthur, please." Francis said.
Arthur didn't bother to answer. He hung up the phone and threw it across the room. The phone clanked against the wall and startled Crumpet. Then, fighting the tears in his eyes, Arthur fell into his bed.
•
Author's note: I'm cruel.
iwillbethere09: it's gonna get good!
artistreilly421: I know. It was hard to do.
Dragonfire78: bet you weren't expecting that.
zumiez2002: I will!