Chapter 7: Did You Hear the News?

But once you're at the top the only place to go is down, which Arthur quickly did. Once he got back from break he was immediately hit with having to study for exams. Arthur threw himself into his school work, the only thing keeping him from losing some of the weight he had thankfully gained back over break being the tubs of leftovers his family had sent to school with him in an effort to "fatten him up". They were good leftovers as well, none of that thanksgiving stuff that Americans did, but rather leftovers from the big family dinners they would have almost every night what with Arthur having such a large family and all their guests in the form of his brothers' girlfriends and Francis and Matthew. Arthur's family had made him promise to make sure he ate before then making Francis promise to make sure Arthur ate since it was likely Arthur wouldn't eat if left alone even despite his promise.

Once Arthur finally managed to survive finals, he crashed. He'd done good, never really being the type to let his emotions affect his grades, but was dead tired after them. The Thursday and Friday following Arthur's exams the brit slept practically all day between the meals that Francis came and made him eat. But that following Saturday was when things really started to fall apart.

Arthur woke up Saturday morning feeling rather refreshed. The stress of finals was gone and in just a few days he would be packing up his bags again to return home for the winter/Christmas holiday aka the time between semesters for most college students.

Arthur got up and went to the kitchen to find Matthew and Francis making pancakes for breakfast. Arthur smiled. "Did you even go home at all during the past two days?" Arthur asked Francis with a teasing tone before taking one of his pills. It'd become a habit to take one in the morning as he didn't want what Francis affectionately referred to as "morning sickness".

Francis looked over to Arthur, smiling back. "I have been going back to my apartment, yes, but last night I stayed over. I may not have gone back enough though as Matthew came over to sleep here as well in almost the middle of the night. Bien que si j'avais su que mon doux petit chaton manquerait de dormir dans mes bras, je l'aurais suggéré en premier lieu." Francis said, slipping back into his native language, knowing the other two were fluent in it French as well, before giving Matthew a gentle and loving kiss.

(The italics are French as was supposed to be: "Although if I had known my sweet little kitten would miss sleeping in my arms so much I would have suggested it in the first place." But like translators are pieces of shit and I don't know french so sorry for people that speak french if I made you cringe.)

Matthew blushed softly into the kiss, always having a soft spot for when Francis spoke French.

Arthur smiled at that. They were so perfect for each other. Arthur picked up his phone and began looking through his social media. A group chat he was in was talking so he decided to join in while Francis and Matthew finished making breakfast.

Arthur's stomach dropped as a mutual friend of his and Alfreds asked, "Hey, did you guys hear the news? Alfred bought the ring. He's really gonna propose to Kiku."

Arthur's hands were shaking as he typed. "When?" Arthur felt his eyes brim with tears.

"Either Christmas or the New Year's celebration." Was the reply.

Arthur just stared at the offending words, his heart hurting. Never had Arthur dreaded Christmas or the start of a new year so much. It took Arthur a moment, but to avoid seeming suspicious he joined everyone's congratulations. "That's great! I'm sure they'll be the perfect married couple." Arthur turned off his phone after that, laying his head on his arms on the breakfast bar. Arthur was breaking down again, unsure how to react other than the fact it hurt his heart.

≈ 738 words, comments and votes are always appreciated and thanks for reading. X3