Note: This happens in chapter 37 of Born to Live a Legacy. New character, who dis?
TWs: Implied/referenced death, secrets, mention of going into hiding/abandoning family/William (he deserves his own TW). Stay safe :)

"I should check on Tom..." Matt muttered, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "Ah, I almost forgot!"

Taking an envelope out of his pocket, Matt handed it to his father, waiting for him to take it, "This was in the mail."

Arthur hummed, taking it as he placed his cup on the side table next to the recliner. He felt it, his eyebrows furrowing as he noticed the braille. No one other than Larry knew he was blind, so he was confused about who sent the letter.

Well, there was one person who could've found out. Arthur realized, his eyebrow twitching.

He moved his fingers over the small bumps, his eyes widening slightly as he wasted no time opening it. It was him, but it couldn't be...

Arthur fingered over the bumpy text, his heart beating wildly as he read the letter.

'Hello, Aardvark,

Did you miss me? I wouldn't be surprised if you did. How long has it been now? You probably don't remember, you and your 'memory problems.' I heard the Red Army is no more, and you moved back to England. You finally have a chance to reunite with your kid. Sounds like things are finally looking up for you, unlike me.

I can't face my son after everything I've done. He doesn't deserve the burdens of his father. He doesn't deserve to be cast out from society like I have.

So, I'm writing this letter to you.

By the time you're reading this, I am dead.

Just know it's not your fault. You know I was on the run for years; they were bound to find me sooner or later. No one can stop the inevitable.

Hopefully, sometime, somewhere... We'll meet again in another life.

~Your friend, Henry'

"What is it, dad?" He heard Matt ask.

"I- nothing." Arthur spoke, forcing a smile on his face, "Just an old friend."

He heard his son hum before walking away upstairs to check on Tom.

His friend rarely talked about his personal life, especially his kid. It always shocked Arthur when he would discuss it. He was consistently closed off, hidden away from the rest of the world like a hermit. It also made Henry a target. Everyone wanted to know the secrets he knew, forcing him to go into hiding for years and leave his family before his son was even born.

The older ginger sighed; he knew his friend was in danger, but he also knew he wouldn't accept his help.

"Cats are superior to dogs anyway; I mean, have you seen Ringo?" Edd's voice interrupted his train of thought, "Look, look, look!"

A few moments later, he heard Jon's echo-y voice, "Awe, she's so cute!"

"I know right? So much better than..." Edd thought for a moment, "Doguardo?"

Tord cackled, "Pfftt- haHAH! Of course, Eduardo named his dog after himself!"

Arthur cracked a smile at the trio's bantering; it reminded him of his high school years, where it was just him, Henry, Theresa, and William.

He frowned, 'William...'

William was always there in high school; he was the one to approach Arthur and the one to approach Henry. It was as if he knew from the start. He knew how to act, he knew who to play, he knew who to manipulate and gaslight. He knew everything.

Which is why Arthur is conflicted; why him? Why Henry? Why Theresa...?

Why did they have to be a part of William's 'plan?'

It didn't make sense to Arthur.

He heard Edd laughing about something Jon said, "As if! I have a feeling he'll never let it go!"

The older ginger blinked. Even if the conversation didn't relate to him, he felt slightly better. He'll never figure out why William did what he did; that's why he took it to his grave.

'Let it go.'

Arthur relaxed in his recliner, taking his cup of tea in his hands, feeling how lukewarm it had gotten. He had a feeling he'd never know William's motives or Henry's reasons.

And that was okay.

After all, they weren't the only ones who had secrets.