A/N: Hello all of you beautiful people! I know that it's been a LONG time, but you see I am enrolled into an institution called college (and a Liberal Arts one at that). Sometimes I wonder why I enrolled into a Liberal Arts School, but I LOVE it here and my roommate is SO AWESOME and all of the students, professors, and faculty are great as well. At the school I go to, as my roommate would say, "Work is never done." And it's true. By the time I've done most of my homework I'm written out...I want to post more often. I hope college gets a little easier -wishes upon a star-. Oh, as of today, I'm finally 19! -Does a little victory dance in the room I'm in- I also started taking Swing Dancing classes at school and they are so much fun, but I 'm so exhausted afterwards. Anyway, on with the story!


Chapter 9

Matthew awoke when he felt the warmth of sunlight, which was coming from the window covered with the slightly ajar curtains, land on his face. Was he feeling better? He stared at the ceiling. Yes, yes he was. But was it enough?

He noticed his cell phone light up in the semidarkness. Was it another text from Lovino? he mused to himself. The night before they'd had an extensive conversation by way of text messages.

He sat up a little to find a curled-up Aja snoozing on the bed. He smirked amusedly at the cat and pick up his cell phone reading the message:

Hey Matt! I know that you have a "Fall Break" this coming week—whatever the hell that is—so let's hang out for part of it, ok?

He smirked at the message. Maybe Tino could help take his mind off of everything. Sure. Is it just me and you or are others coming? he typed back.

It depends. I've messaged Lovino and Miguel but you're the first one to reply so far...

A few hours later he found himself at a nearby park waiting for the others to arrive. Matthew watched a bunch of children playing a game that the kids had no doubt made up themselves in order to keep themselves occupied as he sat on a bench underneath an oak tree. He could feel a presence behind him so he leaned his head backwards to see. He found Lovino leaning against the tree trunk, casting an amused look his way. "When did you get here?"

Lovino pushed himself off of the tree trunk, sat on the arm of the bench, and faced the Canadian. "About a few minutes ago. I'm surprised it took you that long to notice," he answered as he turned his head to watch the kids playing. "Are...Are you feeling any better?"

Matthew looked at him with feigned surprise. "You're worried about me?"

"Tch! As if! I...just..." He huffed. "Just answer the damn question!" seeming to have had enough of being teased.

The blond laughed. Lovino, in reality, was a very caring person, to a select group of people that is, though he had a hard time showing it, especially in public. His twin on the other hand had always showed a shameless display of caring and affection when it was needed. In a way the twins complimented each other. "Yeah, I guess," he answered when his laughter finally ebbed. "Does Miguel know?" his tone now more serious. The Italian gave him a quizzical look, so the blond continued. "A-About what happened between Al and me?"

"I've told him nothing. I figured you'd tell him if and when you wanted to." A light smile played at the corners of his lips. "Plus, I highly doubt that Alfred would tell him, lest he wished to get pummeled by an angry Cuban."

The two laughed a bit then fell silent and watched the children continue to play. Luckily within a few minutes Tino and Miguel arrived, each holding two double scooped ice cream cones.

"I see you two are bearing gifts," Lovino remarked.

"I know you like all things tomato, and seeing that it's really, really warm out, I got you strawberry ice cream since you also like strawberries." Tino, with an enormous grin, handed the cone to the auburn-haired male.

"Grazie," he mumbled before taking a small lick from his sweet treat. His eyes widened when he tasted it. "It's the good stuff!" And with that he began devouring the stuff like today would be his last day on Earth.

"Ah! Lovi, slow down before—" Tino tried to warn but it was too late.

"Fuck! That hurts!" he exclaimed while making a face. The other three laughed. The Italian's face turned red as one of his beloved tomatoes when he huffed in annoyance. He mumbled something about all of them being fucking idiots or something along those lines and turned so his back was facing them and continued to eat his ice cream, but this time at a much slower pace.

"I hope you learned from his mistake." Miguel gestured to Lovino. Matthew nodded in amusement. "Here, vanilla, because there was no maple syrup."

Matthew took the cone. "Oh, darn," he said sarcastically.

After the four of them finished their cones, they decided to go to an amusement park. As they walked Lovino kept eying the roller coasters as if they were going to attack him in some way or another. Tino dashed excitedly to one of the rides, motioning for the other three to follow. The Italian turned tail and ran in the other direction, but before he could escape, Tino grabbed him and hauled him into the line. Matthew glanced at Miguel who shrugged. He had no idea that the Finn could actually drag Lovino as easily as he had.

Once the four were in line Miguel spoke up. "When did you learn that?"

Tino glanced at Miguel and Matthew as he still had a tight grip on Lovino's wrist, just in case the auburn-haired male get the idea to try to escape again. "Hmm?"

"We had no idea you were that strong…" Matthew clarified.

"Oh, that...Astrid taught me!"

The other three glanced at one another, then Lovino spoke up. "Who the fuck is Astrid?! And fucking let go of me!"

Tino let go of Lovino's wrist and became quite bashful with a faint blush on his face. "She's one of the Security Guards at Holly Hill," he replied quietly while glancing at his feet and rocking back and forward.

"You mean the one with the icy blue eyes, glasses, long blonde hair, and stoic expression?" Tino gave the smallest of small nods. "She scared the shit out of me when I got lost the first day." Lovino paused then his face lit up in realization. "You like her, don't you!"

"I-I...She's real nice and sweet and—"

Lovino narrowed his eyes, "She looked like she could kill someone!"

"That's only when you first meet her. She's really sweet and..." The Finn smirked, "Looks like we're next!" He grabbed the Italian's wrist once again and dragged him along to the ride with the Canadian and Cuban following.


The rest of the week Matthew spent his time with Tino, Miguel, and or Lovino in various combinations. It helped him to relax and forget about what had happened, but somehow the end of the week came quickly and he found himself back in Francis' room. It was odd not being there with Alfred; then again he was kind of glad that his twin wouldn't be coming back until late Saturday night. Maybe by then he could muster up the courage to talk to him again...or not, which seemed more enticing the more he thought about it...Francis' voice snapped him out of his inner thoughts.

"Why do you use a recording device? Doesn't paper and pen work just as well?" Francis inquired as he eyed the device in question.

"I like getting emotions portrayed by verbal speech correct." Matthew sighed. "Plus, it's difficult taking notes quickly," he admitted.

Francis hummed in agreement. "Before we continue I want to know more about you." Matthew raised an eyebrow but the Frenchman seemed to not pay the gesture any mind and continued. "Do you remember when your parents were getting divorced?"

Blunt much? "No. The first time I remember meeting both Alfred and papa, I was about five." He smirked at the memory. "Mama had told me about papa and my twin, Alfred, quite a few times. She would always say that papa was a good man as well as a few other things. After a few years of asking why she'd left papa, and not receiving a direct answer, I gave up. She still hasn't told me to this day.

"A three hours before they arrived, I helped her bake two small cakes, though my helping wasn't as productive as one would've hoped." He chuckled at the thought of the mess that he had made and that they, meaning she, had to clean up afterwards. "But hey I was a child having loads of fun.

"When they arrived, I could only do one thing: Stare at my papa. He was so tall, well at least to a five-year-old... When he finally noticed that I was gawking up at him, he knelt down and ruffled my hair." He shook his head at the memory. "I have no idea why, maybe it was the cologne he was wearing or maybe it was something else, but for some odd reason I sneezed when he ruffled my hair, which caused both my parents to laugh. Now that he was at my height and I could get a better look at his face, I could see who I'd gotten my eyes that I would constantly ask her about after I would look in the mirror from: him.

"Throughout the evening I kept feeling this presence, but when I looked around no one was there. Apparently, Alfred was playing Hide-and-Go-Seek but neglected to inform me. He scared the living daylights out of me when I accidentally found him. I screamed so hard and loud that my parents thought I'd witnessed a bloody murder."

Francis laughed lightly.

Matthew's brow knitted slightly. "What did you find so funny?"

"Sorry," he said between laughs. "I just found the situation slightly amusing. Plus you don't seem to be one to scare easily. Anyway, do you get along with your papa?"

"He can be a bit of an ass at times."

"...And why might that be?"

"He has a habit of forgetting about me or referring to me as Alfred from time to time. When he called last week while Alfred and I were here, the first thing that came out of his mouth was that he vaguely remembered someone named Matthew hanging around his son and then promptly asked if he could speak to Al."

"Ouch." Francis glanced at the empty seat that Alfred usually sat in. "Speaking of which, where is he?"

Matthew was silent for a while, trying to figure out how he'd go about this. "He's with papa," he finally replied.

Francis eyed him for a moment. "Did something happen?" a bit of concern laced in his voice.

Matthew watched Francis. Said Frenchman was seated on his bed width-wise and leaning back against the wall while meeting his gaze. "I have no idea as to why he got called away, but at least it happened a good time. We didn't have any classes this past week." Matthew stood up, turning his back to Francis. For some odd reason he couldn't look at the Frenchman when he told him the next part. "...And we had a bit of a fight." He heard the bed creek, which probably meant that Francis had leaned forward.

"Oh? Do you wish to talk about it?"

"No. I think that's enough into my life for one day." Matthew turned back around. "Your turn." He hit a button on the device and it began recording.

"Fair enough. Do you want me to start somewhere new or continue where we left off?"

"Where you left off would be nice. I'm curious to know what happened next," Matthew spoke as he sat back down.

The Frenchman hummed for a second in thought. "I left off at the phone conversation between my parents that was in English correct?" Matthew nodded and Francis sighed. "After that things started to get a little...odd for a lack of a better word. I didn't fully understand what was going on until I was around fourteen, but I should probably tell you this first before I dive back into what I was talking about: My father had so much love to give. He had enough love for me, my mother, and Liam. I also didn't know at the time that my mother had a deep hatred and fear for non-heterosexual people, even the ones who considered themselves bi."

"Wait, who's—" Matthew started but Francis continued before he could finish.

"I will get there in a moment."


There was a knock on the door. Francis, without even looking up from the book he was reading, which he'd acquired from a friend, murmured, "Come in."

The door opened and in walked his father who wrapped his arms around his son's shoulders. Francis jumped a little, he wasn't expecting the other to do that, but relaxed and leaned into the embrace of his father. "Remember when you said that you wanted to see the circus that's coming to town?" Francis froze, then nodded. "Well, I acquired three tickets for Opening Night."

Francis' cerulean eyes widened. "I thought it was sold out, especially for owning night, how did you..." he trailed off. Something wasn't adding up. "'Three'?" His mother was away on business in another part of the country because of some scandal that had recently happened. As of late his mother and father hadn't been as close as they used to be and it worried Francis, a lot. He felt his father shake with laughter which pulled the younger out from his inner thoughts.

He let go and stood straight up still laughing a bit with a smile on his face and Francis turned around in his chair to face him. "The third one is for someone else...would you like to meet him later today?" He said the last part while he was looking away from Francis at the far wall.

His father usually didn't act like this. He was confident but not overly so, and most of all he was always sincere. But his voice sounded so...bashful. What is going on?

That is a very good question. I have no clue. I wonder if it has anything to do with our parents acting so differently than they used to.

"Sure, all of my school work is done anyway."

Later that evening he found himself a few towns over standing beside his father as the elder rang the doorbell. Within a few moments there was a fumbling on the other side of the door. Francis glanced up at his father finding an amused expression on his face. Francis redirected his attention back to the door when he heard it open. In the doorway was a man that looked slightly younger than his father; maybe it was his appearance that made him think that or he just could've been younger. The male had short dark hair, the kind that looked so dark that it seemed almost black in normal light, but in the sun it would look more of a dark brown than black, blue eyes, and his height around average. He stepped forward slightly, but stopped abruptly when he eyed Francis as if thinking better of doing whatever he was going to do at first. He moved out of the way of the door and said, "Come in." Once they were inside he shut the door and turned to face them. "Hello, my name is Liam...I'm a..." he glanced at Francis' father then continued, "...longtime friend of your father's. You must be Francis. I've heard quite a bit about you."

Francis sniffed the air and raised an eyebrow. Whatever was cooking in the kitchen smelled oh so delicious.

"Oh, where are my manners! Would you two like anything to eat or drink?" He glanced between his two guests.

"Food would be nice, but dessert is what I'm looking forward to," his father called from another room. Sometime while the man, Liam, was introducing himself Francis' father had sat himself on one of the sofas in the side room.

Liam's face darkened a bit at the statement. "I-It'll be done in a few minutes!" He dashed off to the kitchen to finish whatever needed to be done. "Go and wash your hands for dinner!" he called out from the kitchen.

Within minutes Francis found himself seated at the table with a plate of food in front of him. He wondered if it tasted as good as it smelled. He scooped up some of the food from his plat and tasted it. His eyes widened at the taste. This...This was amazing! "How is this even—"

"Possible," Liam offered, which Francis nodded. The dark-haired male smiled and glanced over at Francis' father, then said, "That's what your father said the first time he tasted my cooking. I could teach you if you wanted..."

Francis would've spoken, but he had a mouthful of food in his mouth, so to be polite he could only nod to say yes to the man's offer. For the rest of dinner the three of them talked about various things, and soon enough they were saying their goodbyes and heading home. The ride home was quiet and Francis watched the scenery go by until his father began speaking.

"...What do you think about him?"

Francis glanced at him. There was that voice again. "He seems very caring, kind, and an all-around nice person, but he seems to be easily embarrassed by the things you say. Why is that? But I like him and I look forward to cooking with him."

His father chuckled as he turned into their driveway.

"What?" Francis asked. He really didn't see anything funny with what he had said.

He shook his head as he pulled into the driveway of their home. "Oh, it's nothing. I am very surprised that you took such a quick liking to him, that's all." He took the key out of the ignition and opened the door to get out and Francis did the same.

Francis gazed down the road. Maybe he'd take a short walk.

"Aren't you coming inside?"

Francis whirled around to face where his father's voice was coming from. He hadn't noticed that his father had opened the door to the house and was watching him with a quizzical expression as he waited.

"I think I shall take a walk."

"Okay, but don't be out too late," he called out as Francis began walking down the street.

"Don't worry, I won't." After a while of walking he found a bench to sit down on. He just sat there as he watched the nearly full moon begin to rise. He liked where they lived. They lived far enough away from the city where the light from the city would be impeding him from seeing the stars, which he really loved to see.

What's on your mind?

Why should I tell you? You can just go and get the information you want.

There was a short pause. But that would be insensitive.

Like that was ever an issue before... After a moment or two of silence, Francis gave in. There was no use arguing with his other half anyway. I'm thinking about our father.

I figured as much... France hummed in thought for a moment. I think they're more than friends.

What?

As in lovers...

No! That cannot be! He loves our mother!

Francis, everything would make sense if—

But Francis wasn't listening anymore. How could France even think that? But on the off-chance that he was correct...

A boy about his age walked by with short brunette hair.

France chuckled. That's the guy that you literally ran into the other day.

Quit bring that up! I didn't see him coming!

He seemed to be talking to someone, but there was no one else there. The brunette gave a huge huff and sat on the curb, his head in his head.

I should go and apologize to him for the other day.

France smirked. You better hurry up or I will do it.

Francis' eyes widened in shock. If that were to happen nothing good would come of it. As he got up from the bench he had perched himself on earlier, the brunette plopped down on the curb of the street. He walked up to the seated male and cleared his throat to get the other's attention once he was behind him.

The brunette whirled around and stood up. The male's eyes widened when his emerald eyes locked with Francis. "It's you," the male breathed in Spanish before Francis could say anything. "I'm so sorry about the other day!" Thus the emerald eyed male began rambling.

Francis only watched for a while because he was lost for words. He noticed that the brunette had a slight tan tone to his skin. Maybe he was outside all of the time. The male was very attractive...Wait, where did that come from?

Oh, just accept it already, Came France's voice. I already have.

Francis ignored France's remark. "Hey, calm down," he uttered in the same language. He didn't know if the other knew French, the most beautiful language in the world.

The brunette tilted his head to the side. "You don't speak with an accent. Are you a Spaniard?"

For a moment the blond blinked. "...No, I'm French."

The brunette's shoulders drooped a bit, but the slight downcast expression was replaced with a cheery expression. "That's okay! Hi, my name's Antonio Fernandez Corriendo! What's yours?"

"I'm Francis Bonnefoy. You're an odd one, but pleased to meet you officially nonetheless." There was that awkward silence that always liked to finagle its way into a situation. It set up shop for a while then decided to leave. "So...are you looking for something?" Antonio opened his mouth to say something, but quickly closed it which made Francis raise an eyebrow. "Are you lost?"

"I was going the right direction earlier, but then I saw this adorable cat and I just had to follow it."

Is this guy for real? France asked in disbelief.

I think so... "Could you tell me where you are trying to get to?" Francis asked aloud. Antonio told him where he was trying to get to. "Oh, you aren't too far off. I can take you to the street that will get you to where you need to go." Francis grabbed the other's hand and pulled him along in the correct direction. He could sense that France was smug. What is it now?

Oh, nothing. I was wondering why you were holding his hand, that's all.

He might be one to get lost easily. He seems to be easily sidetracked, though.

France chuckled at the other's remark. Okay, I'll just leave you two alone~.

Francis gasped. It's not like that!

Keep telling yourself that.

After about fifteen minutes of walking and talking, they finally arrived at the street Antonio was looking for. "Here we are. Now, if you go down this street and do you see that building with the billboard on it about the Circus coming to the city?" Antonio nodded. Francis stared at the advertisement for a moment before continuing. "Take the street by the building on the right. Follow it and you cannot miss it."

The brunette seemed to take notice of the slight pause. "Are you going to see the Circus?"

"Oui, I am. My father has tickets for Opening Night."

"That's good! I will see you there!"

Francis looked at him questioningly. He still couldn't get a read on the male in front of him. "I don't think I'm quite following. So you have tickets for the same day as well?"

He was silent for a moment in thought. "We'll go with that...Anyway, I want to show you something on Opening Night!" he said as he lightly bounced on the balls of his feet.

"...I barely even know you..."

"That's okay. I'd like to be friends with you, because I had so much fun talking with you!" He paused. "But if you think that I'm too odd and weird for you I'll understand..." His face became downcast.

That was a very quick change in emotion...

Yes, France agreed, yes, it was.

"Hey, don't be sad. I liked talking to you as well...I wouldn't mind seeing you again."

That make the brunette perk up instantly and he told the French man where to meet him at the Circus during Opening Night.