The next chapter is Alfred proposing to Kiku.

Chapter 8: Alone in a Room Full of People

Arthur went on autopilot the few days that followed that Saturday, still reacting and responding to everyone though on some nights he slept up to 14 hours and others he didn't sleep at all. He always looked tired no matter how long he slept and there was a deep sadness in his eyes that you'd have to really know and understand him to be able to tell was there. He was sick more often than not when he wasn't on the pills and Francis found him on more than one occasion sitting on the shower floor, letting the water run over him as he stared blankly at the glass wall, knees pulled up to his chest with his arms wrapped around them.

Francis knew what was going on, he'd heard about it right after exams had ended but hadn't wanted to tell Arthur for fear of how he would react. Now that Arthur had found out it only hurt Francis more to see him suffer so much. Francis took it upon himself to take care of his childhood friend when he found Arthur in the shower like that (as well as the rest of the time), making sure he ate, though he never protested, comforting him, and wrapping him in a towel before carrying him to bed.

It did get a bit better when they went back to London for Christmas, the city always having this innate ability to cheer Arthur up, giving him a break from Alfred and his life in the states.

And so Arthur went through the days leading up to Christmas feeling rather happy, in blissful denial as he ignored and shunned the thought of Alfred proposing to Kiku very soon.

Arthur sat with his family, his brothers' significant others, Francis, and Matthew on Christmas day, the adults watching as Peter and his "friend" opened their presents, excited about what they'd gotten. Arthur tried not to feel alone in the room full of people, each with a person to hug and/or be held by. This was technically excluding Peter and Raivis, but it was obvious to anyone that they liked each other... And here Arthur was, all alone and curled up in a fuzzy blanket that could never make up for or stand in for Alfred holding him like he really wanted.

≈ 565 words, comments, and votes are always appreciated and thanks for reading. X3